The Porterbrook safeguards residents and closes to non-essential visitors

9th April 2020

A Crosspool care home has taken the necessary steps to safeguard its residents from the coronavirus outbreak by closing it to non-essential visitors.

The Porterbrook, a residential, dementia and respite care home in Tapton Crescent Road, has taken the measures in order to create a ‘cocooning environment’ for those in its care.

The home is following the advice of the World Health Organisation and have put measures in place to protect residents and staff, including additional cleaning and personal hygiene measures.

The Porterbrook is well equipped to look after the needs of its residents with 44 tastefully decorated en-suite rooms, spacious lounges, piano bar, private secure gardens and balcony, home cinema room and library. Staff are safe-distancing residents from group activities that have may have pre-existing conditions.

The Porterbrook care home manager Sheilagh Sweeney, said: “The health, safety and wellbeing of our residents and staff are always our top priorities. While we have no confirmed cases in our home, the growing threat of the Coronavirus outbreak means that we are continually reviewing measures to reduce the risk of infection and protect the most vulnerable in our care.

“We have, therefore, taken the difficult decision to close our home to all non-essential visits to create a cocooning environment and safeguard the wellbeing of our residents. This will include routine friends and family visits. In addition, we will be limiting hospital appointments, unless in emergency and at the sole discretion of the home.”

The Porterbrook is also exploring ways that residents can stay in touch with family members through telephone and social media.

Sheilagh added: “To ensure continued communication between residents and family members we are exploring measures to aid regular contact through telephone, Skype, WhatsApp and FaceTime. We have not taken this decision to close lightly, however we have a duty of care to our residents and staff.”